More Interbike 2009: New Pedals, More Tires, a Space-Saving Bike Case and Italian Cyclocross Bikes

We’ve got more Interbike 2009 cyclocross eye candy for you today…including more tires, a new Speedplay off-road pedal, a slick, collapsible bike case, new 2010 models from Bianchi, and Sven Nys’ Colnago.

Speedplay displayed its prototype Syzr off-road pedal for the second year in a row, but it’s much more refined than what we saw in 2008. Expected to be launched in 2010 (in time for cyclocross season), the pedal features adjustable float and release angle, a rear retention/entry spring and a mud-shedding open cage. The pedal is expected to be priced similarly to the Zero pedal, which is $195 MSRP for the stainless steel model. A titanium model is also expected.

Biknd showed off its new $599 air-inflated and padded bike case. A single case unwraps into five panels, secures around one bike and two pairs of wheels, and with its inflatable bladder, protects the entire contents with just 5-10 psi of air. When you’ve reached your destination or home, it collapses into a golf-club bag-sized shape when not in use.

It could be the perfect bag for the traveling cyclocross race on a budget, as the bags won’t take up the entire dive motel room, they’ll fit spare wheels, and even when full, the bag does not look like a traditional bike bag, helping you avoid airline fees. Biknd said one professional triathlete had to pay airline fees only a fraction of the times she flew. If you’re so lucky, the bag could pay for itself. The bag is light at just around 19 pounds, and should be available in January, just in time for the Masters Worlds in Mol, Belgium.

Bianchi boasts a deep line of cyclocross bikes, including the Carbon Cross Concept (Reviewed in Issue 3), the Axis, the Volpe, and the San Jose singlespeed line. The line-up loses two models this year, with the Scandium Cross Concept and San Jose Pro being eliminated, but the Italian brand still has a bike for nearly every budget.

The Volpe has been around since the late 80’s, and still features a cromo frame and a do-anything mission. The 2010 Volpe features Shimano 105 and Tiagra components, a cromo fork, WTB Allterrainasaurus tires, and Wellgo clipless pedals for $1099. The metallic olive paint was a classy touch.

The Axis is only $200 more than the Volpe, and that $200 is well-spent to create a entry-level race-worthy bike. The 7005 aluminum frame comes with Tiagra components but keeps the price down with a Sora compact crankset. Complete with Vittoria XG tires and VP clipless pedals, the Axis comes in at $50 less than last year.

Kind Shock has a new hybrid/cyclocross suspension fork that is air dampened. What makes this fork unique is it has botha built-in pressure gauge as well as a built-in air pump integrated into the steerer tube. You’ll never forget your shock pump again, but steerer tubes cannot be cut so must be ordered to size. A 700c fork weighs less than three pounds and could be a nice addition for the rider that spends a lot of time on technical trails.

The Geax/Vittoria family has a cyclocross tires for every budget and bike and while their tubulars do not attract the attention of Dugast and Challenge, the company is quietly pumping out new treads and threads to offer a very competitive line-up. The 320 tpi tubulars (we’re testing right now) have a slightly rubberized sidewall for protection, and are as supple as other handmade tubulars.

The XM mud-specific tread soon will come in the 320 tpi compound…Vittoria had the pictured prototype on display.

Geax has a mud tire that answers the needs of mountain bikers looking to try cyclocross. The BARROmud tire comes in a narrow 1.75″ width, and looks very similar to the hard-to-find (but popular in cyclocross) Continental Cross Country 1.5″ tire. Although released in 2009, the tire should now be available for this cyclocross season.

Does Nys really rest his shoulder here? photo: courtesy

We got to see Sven Nys’ new carbon Colnago cyclocross frame, which moves away from the lugged constuction of the old C-50 and C-40 models. A molded carbon “shoulder pad” certainly makes this bike unique, although we’re not sure if your shoulder would actually ever sit that far back to appreciate the round surface. Nevertheless, Nys has already been riding the bike to the front of the pack at European ‘cross races.

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